Speculations are buzzing that the once-exclusive Wii U game Kirby and the Rainbow Curse might find a new home on the Nintendo Switch in the near future. With the Wii U being a commercial disappointment for Nintendo, the decision to bring over many of its top exclusives to the Switch has been a smart move.
Since 2017, the Switch has seen a slew of Wii U ports, starting with The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, which was a simultaneous release on both consoles. Notably, the immensely popular Mario Kart 8 Deluxe began as a Wii U title. The Switch's library was significantly enriched by these ports, with games like Super Mario 3D World and Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze helping prevent the content droughts that plagued the Wii U.
Despite many Wii U exclusives making the jump to other platforms, Kirby and the Rainbow Curse has remained untouched. This game, released in 2015, received mixed but generally positive reviews. Serving as a successor to the acclaimed Kirby: Canvas Curse on the Nintendo DS, Kirby and the Rainbow Curse was praised for its claymation art style and cooperative gameplay. A new trademark application in Australia suggests that Kirby and the Rainbow Curse might be resurrected on the Switch.
Recently, a new Australian trademark filing for Kirby and the Rainbow Paintbrush (the PAL version of Kirby and the Rainbow Curse) has emerged alongside the existing trademark. This, combined with the renewal of the original Kirby and the Rainbow Curse trademark, hints at Nintendo's potential plans for the game. While this is all speculation for now, signs point to a possible release of Kirby and the Rainbow Curse on the Nintendo Switch.
Wii U Games Possibly Coming to the Switch
- Bayonetta 2
- Captain Toad: Treasure Tracker
- Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze
- Fatal Frame: Maiden of Black Water
- Hyrule Warriors: Definitive Edition
- Mario Kart 8 Deluxe
- New Super Mario Bros. U Deluxe
- Pikmin 3 Deluxe
- Pokken Tournament DX
- Super Mario 3D World + Bowser's Fury
- The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild
- The Wonderful 101 Remastered
- Tokyo Mirage Sessions #FE Encore
Another game that Nintendo recently renewed its trademark for in Australia is Fullblox, also known as Stretchmo. Originally a 3DS exclusive, Stretchmo is no longer available for purchase, raising the possibility of a revival on the Nintendo Switch.
It remains to be seen whether Nintendo plans to act on these trademarks or if the games will stay confined to their original systems. With much of Nintendo's 2024 lineup still under wraps, save for the releases of Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door on May 23 and Luigi's Mansion 2 HD on June 27, the fate of Kirby and the Rainbow Curse and Stretchmo is uncertain. These titles could serve as distractions for fans while they anticipate the eventual arrival of the rumored Switch 2.